Live (to me) Blog of the 1st Round of the NFL Draft

The commissioner is up at the podium and receiving plenty of boos as he should! Let's get rolling as the Buccaneers are on the clock!

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Jame is Winston, Florida State
- Commish receiving more boos! No surprise here, hopefully Winston can keep himself clean off the field. My Mock Draft Predictions (1/1). Let's see what Tennessee does now.

2. Tennessee Titans - QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
- Mariota goes second, but the Titans don't trade out. We'll see if Mariota stays with the Titans or if they trade him away. It will be interesting! My Mock Draft Predictions (1.5/2)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
- Chris Berman just stole Bill Simmons' nickname for the Jags if they move the London. This has been the projected pick for the Jags for a while now. So far the draft has gone pretty chalk. My Mock Draft Predictions (1.5/3)

4. Oakland Raiders - WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
- Another chalk ESPN pick. Will someone finally do something unexpected? Good pick for the Raiders and gives Derek Carr a true #1 option. My Mock Draft Predictions (1.5/4)

5. Washington Football Team - OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
- This is a little surprising since they need pass rush help and had their pick of them. This pick helps the offense as a hole. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/5)

6. New York Jets - DL Leonard Williams, USC
- If the previous pick was a little surprising this pick is VERY surprising. The strength of the Jets D is the D-line. They must be trading Wilkerson sometime soon. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/6)

7. Chicago Bears - WR Kevin White, West Virginia
- Good pick for 'Da Bears, I would be concerned that he is a one year wonder and this team is without a lot of talent on defense. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/7)

8. Atlanta Falcons - OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
- The Falcons have not had a pass rush since John Abraham left. Beasley is fast and will get to the QB. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/8)

9. New York Giants - OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
- The Giants could have addressed needs with their D but choose to shore up their O-line and keep Eli Manning clean. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/9)

10. St. Louis Rams - RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
- This is certainly a surprise. The Rams must like WR depth in this draft. He's the best RB in the draft and will help the Rams offense but how will the line do? They should have gone in a few different directions here (WR, OL). My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/10), down to 25% ouch.

11. Minnesota Vikings - CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St.
- Another chalk pick. This must be why the ESPN draft experts get paid the big bucks. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/11)

12. Cleveland Browns - NT Danny Shelton, Washington
- The Browns needed a NT and Shelton is the best in the draft. It seems like the Browns are done flubbing first round picks with this selection. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/12)

13. New Orleans Saints - OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
- Another surprise here. The Saints need interior OL help, pass rush help, and a WR but go with a Tackle. A bit of a head scratcher. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/13)

14. Miami Dolphins - WR Davante Parker, Louisville
- The Dolphins needed another passing option for Tannehill and get one here. This is another chalk pick. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/14)

15. San Francisco 49ers - Trade Alert - San Diego Chargers -RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
- The Chargers give up a 4th and 5th to move up 2 spots in the draft to pick the RB Gordeon. This is definitely a need pick since the Chargers had all their RBs hurt last year.

16. Houston Texans - CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
- Texans need help in the secondary since Johnathon Joseph is getting older. This pick makes sense, but a WR would have probably been a better pick. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/16)

17. San Francisco 49ers - DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
- The 49ers trade back a few spots and still go chalk. Every mock draft everywhere had the 49ers taking Armstead. I would've like a CB or WR for them. My Mock Draft Predictions (2.5/17)

18. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Marcus Peters, Washington
- This is a surprise. Peters has had a lot of off the field issues. They could use a CB but would have likely gotten one in the 2nd round. They must think the depth of WR will last until their next pick. MMDP (2.5/18)

19. Cleveland Browns - C/G Cameron Erving, Florida State
- Browns address their interior o-line with this pick. All their injuries last year must have factored into this pick but they have other needs they should have addressed. MMDP (2.5/19)

20. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Nelson Agholor, USC
-  They needed a WR after Maclin left Agholor is a pretty good one. MMDP (2.5/20)

21. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
- A young tackle that the Bengals can develop for a year as both their tackles will be free agents next year. Good upside pick. MMDP (2.5/21)

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB Bud Dupree, Kentucky
- The Steelers need secondary help, and what better way to help a secondary than to put pressure on the QB so your DBs aren't in coverage. Good pick and finally hit on another one. MMDP (3.5/22)

23. Detroit Lions - Trade Alert - Denver Broncos - DE Shane Ray, Missouri
- The Broncos trade up and make a surprise pick of Ray who is arguably the best pass rusher in the draft. Ray, Von Miller, and DeMarcus Ware make for a scary pass rush.  Denver gives up Manny Ramierez a 5th this year and next year, in this 1st round swap. MMDP (3.5/23)

24. Arizona Cardinals - OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
- You can never have enough o-lineman. The Cardinals upgrade their RT spot with this pick. (MMDP 3.5/24)

25. Carolina Panthers - OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
- The draft's first BIG surprise. He's a versatile player but I don't know where he fits. Is he a safety, a linebacker, a running back? I don't know. I think this is a very questionable pick. MMDP (3.5/25)

26. Baltimore Ravens - WR Breshad Perriman, UCF
- They needed a WR after Torrey Smith left. Perriman's hands need work but he is a burner. MMDP (3.5/26)

27. Dallas Cowboys - CB Byron Jones, UConn
- Very versatile player. Can play CB or S and was the combine's workout warrior. Fills a need for the Cowboys. MMDP (3.5/27)

28. Detroit Lions - G Laken Tomlinson, Duke
- They need interior o-line help and d-line help. I can't believe with Malcolm Brown still available they took a guy who many people thought would be a late 2nd round pick. MMDP (3.5/28)

29. Indianapolis Colts - WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami
- This guy was the smoothest looking WR that I watched at the combine. I expect great things from him, but this is a puzzling pick for the Colts. I would think a defensive player or o-lineman should've been the pick. MMDP (3.5/29)

30. Green Bay Packers - S Damarious Randall, Arizona State
- Another head scratcher since they took Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix last year, but the Packers know what works so I won't bash them. MMDP (3.5/30)

31. New Orleans Saints - ILB Stephone Anthony, Clemson
- The Saints go with a defensive player with their second 1st rounder, but not the pass rusher that they need. MMDP (3.5/31)

32. New England Patriots - DT Malcolm Brown, Texas
- I didn't think he would be here this late, but had the position right. The Patriots get their Wilfork replacement. MMDP (3.5/32)

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2015 NFL Draft: My Mock Draft

With the NFL draft upon us tomorrow, the itch struck me to do my own mock draft. Unlike the experts at ESPN, and NFL.com I will be predicting trades. I'm basing all of my picks on my study of other mock drafts but no in-depth analysis. My live blog of the draft will happen Friday when it is live to me because Avengers: Age of Ultron. So stay tuned for that!

Let's get started:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -QB Jameis Winston:
 - This is what everyone is predicting and I don't think any different the Bucs need a lot of things and a QB is at the top of that list.

2. Tennessee Titans - TRADE ALERT! - San Diego Chargers - QB Marcus Mariota
- The Chargers send Philip Rivers, the #17 pick, and a conditional 2nd rounder in 2016 (can become a 1st). Rivers does not want to play in L.A. and the Chargers are moving there. Rivers gets to be close to his hometown and plays for a coach he knows and likes in Whisenhunt. This makes so much sense it probably won't happen.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Amari Cooper
- The Jags make a surprise move and pick Cooper instead of a pass rusher. This gives Blake Bortles another WR to throw to and the Jags suddenly have a young trio of WR (Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson from last year) to help Bortles grow. Now if he can only stay upright because the Jags o-line is a hot mess!

4. Oakland Raiders - WR Kevin White
- The Raiders would have had a tough choice between Cooper and White, but the Jags make that choice a little easier.

5. Washington Football Team - OT Brandon Scherff
- They need O-line help and help with pass rusher. With all the issues of the top pass rushers the WFT selects the highest rated o-lineman here. Scherff can play Guard or Tackle so he'll be able to help out at either spot.

6. New York Jets - OT Andrus Peat
- The Jets like the WFT before them need pass rush and o-line help. Here they take the next best o-lineman. Even with Leonard Williams and other top defensive products available the Jets need to rebuild the o-line and Todd Bowles knows how to generate a pass rush without elite talent.

7. Chicago Bears - NT Danny Shelton
- 'Da Bears are ecstatic to have their choice of defensive prospect. They have all the needs on D, and the smart thing to do is to build inside out and with them switching to a 3-4 defense NT plays the most important part of the 3-4's defensive line.

8. Atlanta Falcons - LB Dante Fowler
- The Falcons are excited that Fowler, who has been projected by just about everyone to go to the Jags, is on the board. He fits as a perfect Leo in their 4-3 scheme.

9. New York Giants - TRADE ALERT! - San Francisco 49ers - CB Trae Waynes
- The 49ers usually do not trade up. They tried to trade up for Odell Beckham last year, but with the top two offensive lineman gone and value with d-line down the board the Giants make this trade. The 49ers give up a 3rd rounder this year and 5th next year to move up 6 spots and pick the draft's best CB.

10. St. Louis Rams - TRADE ALERT! - New Orleans Saints - DL Leonard Williams
-  The consensus top player in the draft falls all the way to number 10 and the Saints can't help but trade up for Williams. The Saints Cam Jordan is due for a big payday and there have been rumors about them trading him. Here the Saints swap the 13th for the 10th and kick in a 4th rounder.

11. Minnesota Vikings - RB Todd Gurley
- This spells the beginning of the end for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. The Vikings need of o-line and CB help don't line up so expect them to trade Peterson for a pick or picks later on.

12. Cleveland Browns - DL Arik Armstead
- Cleveland would have liked to get NT Danny Shelton, but instead fill another need along their D-line. Armstead as Phil Taylor is coming off injury and is in a contract year.

13. St. Louis Rams - WR Davante Parker
- The Rams attempt this WR thing again after failing spectacularly over the last few years trying to find a #1 WR. Jeff Fisher better hope that this pick works out.

14. Miami Dolphins - OT T.J. Clemmings
- The Dolphins still need offensive line help and picking Clemmings gives them a good tackle prospect to work with.

15. New York Giants - DE Shane Ray
- Even with the pot issues Ray is too good of a talent to fall this far. The Giants pick up much needed help for JPP and a possible eventual replacement.

16. Houston Texans - WR Phillip Dorsett
- Dorsett looked very smooth during the combine and the Texans need help to replace Andre Johnson so why not go for the first Miami WR to be drafted in the first round since Johnson.

17. Tennessee Titans - LB Vic Beasley
- The Titans already have Phillip Rivers now it's time to address the edge pass rush. Beasley is one of the best and will develop quickly under Ray Horton.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Jalen Strong
- Strong is an excellent route runner and perfect for the Chiefs intermediate passing game.

19. Cleveland Browns - WR Nelson Agholor
- The Browns need options at WR since Josh Gordon doesn't stop getting suspended. Agholor provides smooth route running with a decent deep threat and should help the Browns offense right away.

20. Philadelphia Eagles - S Landon Collins
- The Eagles shored up their CBs in free agency and are a good strong safety away from a good secondary and Collins fits the bill.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Marcus Peters
- Cincinnati is getting long in the tooth in the secondary and Marvin Lewis has a history of helping troubled young players mature. Lewis will do that for Peters.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB Bud Dupree
- Dupree played everywhere for Kentucky and while Pittsburgh has pressing needs in the secondary upgrading their pass rush will help out with any additions to their secondary.

23. Detroit Lions - DT Malcolm Brown
- With losing their top two d-lineman in free agency the Lions helped by trading for Haloti Ngata, but he may be gone in a year as well. Brown has been a pretty chalk pick across mock drafts for the Lions.

24. Arizona Cardinals - TRADE ALERT! - Minnesota Vikings -OT Ereck Flowers
- This is where the Adrian Peterson gets traded as the Cardinals send the 24th pick straight up for him. The Vikings pick up a young OT who can play RT, G and eventually LT if Matt Kalil doesn't pan out.

25. Carolina Panthers - OT D.J. Humphries
- Carolina needs to protect Cam Newton with someone who projects to be a franchise LT. Humphries is that guy. This has been a pretty chalk pick also.

26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Kevin Johnson
- The Ravens were devastated by injuries last year at the CB position and would be foolish not to try to upgrade the position. Johnson is the second best man cover corner in the draft and will help Baltimore out immediately.

27. Dallas Cowboys - DT Eddie Goldman
- Dallas has fortified their o-line in the past few drafts now it is time to work on their d-line. Goldman projects as a space eater with some burst to rush the passer.

28. Denver Broncos - OL Cam Erving
- The Broncos need help along the interior or their offensive line and Erving started at just about every position. He's a plug and play C or G and has experience playing LT. This helps out the Broncos now and in the future.

29. Indianapolis Colts - LB Randy Gregory
- The Colts select the other edge-rusher problem child in this draft. Gregory's talent is just too much to pass up for the Colts at this point who need help getting to the QB.

30. Green Bay Packers - DB Bryon Jones
- The Packers lost two corners this offseason and without glaring needs took the combine's workout warrior in Jones. He can play CB and S and will provide good depth while developing his skills for the pro game.

31. New Orleans Saints - WR Devin Smith
- This is the deep threat the Saints have been searching for! He tracks the ball the best out of any WR taken ahead of him and will help take the pressure off of Brandin Cooks and Marquis Colston.

32. New England Patriots - WR Breshad Perriman
- Perriman give the Patriots the deep threat they've been missing since Randy Moss. It makes this offense even more scary then it already is. The worry about Perriman is his consistency but Belicheck will probably fix that.

Let me know what you think. What did I mess up where did I go wrong?

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Happy International TableTop Day!!!

It's International TableTop Day!!! Everyone get excited!
International TableTop day was started 3 years ago by Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day. This day is all about bringing family, and friends together to play some awesome games.

International TableTop day is special for me for a couple of reasons. The first and most important is that it helped bring my wife and I much closer together at a time where it seemed like we were drifting apart. It helped open us communicate and open up with each other and now we're happier than ever! Thanks gaming! The second is TableTop gaming has brought in new and awesome friends into my life and gives us something we can all enjoy.

Now that the serious stuff is out of the way It's that time of year again to whip out those board games and celebrate TableTop gaming with Family and friends! You can whip out those classics like Monopoly, Clue, or Life or you could delve into some awesome strategy and Euro-Style games.

Here are some amazing introductory Strategy and Euro-Style Games:

Strategy: Small World - You like Risk? You'll love Small World!


Euro-Style Strategy: Ticket to Ride. Build train routes and become the biggest train tycoon


Euro-Style Worker Placement/Strategy: Settlers of Catan. A bit more advanced than the previous two but a great way to introduce yourself to this type of game.



Go ahead and try this out and as Wil Wheaton would say, "PLAY MORE GAMES!!!"




Don't forget to like, share and comment on this post!

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Whatcha gonna do when the Chandrian run wild on you?

Just before my insomnia roused me from my attempt at restful sleep I was having a nice little dream. I was speaking to author Pat Rothfuss about a dream I had (I Inception-ed myself y'all) about the Chandrian and what I would do if I had to face them. The conversation went like this:

"So Pat, I was having a dream that the Chandrian came and tried to kill me while I was a sleep."

"That's interesting, what happened?"

"I killed them."

"How in the world did you do that?"

"Well I figured out I was dreaming about a dream so I thought 'What can I do to kill them', and then I turned into Rand al'Thor the Dragon Re-born and smote them with the One Power."

"Why choose Rand and not Kvothe?"

"To me he is the most powerful hero in a fantasy series. I think where you are taking Kvothe might make him on par or better than Rand, but he isn't there yet."

And, that is where I woke up.

Now I know who my sub-conscious thinks is the most powerful fantasy hero is and my waking-conscious knows too. I haven't read every fantasy series but I have read a lot so if you think there is someone more powerful out there let me know!

Rand al'Thor:

Rebranding

For a few weeks I have been thinking about starting to write regularly in this space. I've changed titles from Trashcan's Grumbles to TC's Ramblings. This change is happening because I want the blog to become the place where I write the random stuff that pops into my head. Maybe this will help with my insomnia...maybe. Enjoy everyone!

Who looks at my blog?

Apparently Russians!